Apparatus for the removal of dust



March 28, 1961 F. REITERER 2,976,556

APPARATUS FOR THE REMOVAL OF DUST Filed March 27, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 I 2 W ly, 70 g z! a i W g 52 wk IFS I 'I 5% I g I I L J I III INVENTOR. FERDINAND REITERER ATTORNEYS March 28, 1961 F. REXTERER APPARATUS FOR THE REMOVAL OF DUST 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 27, 1959 INVENTOR FERDINAND REITER ER March 28, 1961 F. REITERER APPARATUS FOR THE REMOVAL OF DUST 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 27, 1959 mmwm v INVENTOR FERDINAND REITERER ATTORNEYS March 28, 1961 Filed March 27, 1959 F. REITERER 2,976,556

APPARATUS FOR THE REMOVAL OF DUST 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FERDINAND REITERER ATTORNEYS APPARATUS FOR THE REMOVAL OF DUST Ferdinand Reiterer, Rueil Malmaison, France, assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to Parks-Cramer Company, Worcester, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Filed Mar. 27, 1959, Ser. 'No. 802,479

Claims priority, application France Apr. 1, 1958 17 Claims. (Cl. 15-301) This invention relates to an improved suction cleaning system for drawing dust, waste and other light material away from textile machines.

In many industries, dust or Waste is produced and is deposited on the various parts of the machinery employed where it is liable to be very disadvantageous. This is so in particular in textile machines, in which the dust is liable to be entrained by the threads or filaments and causes faults and breakages. It is therefore very important to eliminate this dust and this is a problem to which many solutions have been proposed. None, however, has proved to be fully satisfactory in all respects.

In particular, it has been proposed to blow a stream of air onto the machines, either permanently or periodically, to remove the dust deposited on them. However, this does nothing more than move the dust, which falls down again and may then be deposited on other parts of the machines. Moreover, if the blowing is general; that is, if it is performed simultaneously on all the machines, it requires a prohibitive consumption of power.

To reduce the power required, the production of a localized and periodic blowing has been proposed; for example, by means of a fan mounted on a carriage traveling on a double-ended or endless track disposed above the entire machine or a plurality of machines. Such a solution, however, does not give a fully satisfactory re sult, because apart from the disadvantages mentioned above, the parts of the machine located at the ends of a double-ended track are needlessly cleared twice at close intervals, during the two movements of the carriage in opposite directions, near these ends, and must then wait, in order to be cleared again, for a relatively long time ted States Patent equal to the time taken by the carriage to travel towards the distant ends of the track and back again. Where an endless track is used, the intervals of clearing particular machine parts are also spaced considerably apart. The clearing process is therefore performed irregularly and under unsatisfactory conditions, having regard, in particular, to the fact that the movement of the carriage is necessarily slow for mechanical reasons.

it has also been proposed to carry out a localized suction of the dust by disposing suction openings or nozzles, connected to a collector or common duct, close to the vital parts of the machines on which the dust accumulates. Contrary to the blowing process, such an installation permits effective removal of a part of the dust and recovering of the entrained fibres. However, it permits only incomplete and inefiicient clearing, because the zone of useful action of the openings or nozzles is limited only to their immediate proximity and their total area is very small in relation to the area of the whole machine. The clearing is therefore effected at a few points only, while the dust which is deposited on all the remainder of the machine is not removed. Furthermore, the many openings or nozzles and their connecting means constitute additional parts which further increase the area on which the dust is deposited.

2326,5 56 Patented Mar. 28, 1961 In addition to the disadvantages mentioned above, it must also be emphasized that suitable construction of such an installation necessitates casings, ducts, or shafts, which are of considerable cross-section and of complicated shape and these can be incorporated only with great difficulty in textile machines, which are generally very long. Moreover, the power consumed is too high in comparison with the results obtained.

To avoid this last-mentioned disadvantage, the use of a fractional and stepwise suction system was then proposed, this system comprising a main collector or duct connected permanently to a fan, and a secondary collector divided into a certain number of separate compartments each communicating with the main collector or duct through an opening equipped with a valve, each compartment moreover having one or more mouths, passages, or nozzles opening therein. By opening the valves one after the other afterthe preceding valve has closed again, a successive suction effect is obtained, step by step, in the various nozzles or groups of nozzles. These arrangements economize in power, but they have the dis advantage of effecting operation of the suction group by fits and starts and this is a cause of reduced efiiciency and early wear.

In addition, all the arrangements which have just been described have a common drawback; i.e. they remove the dust only after it has been deposited on the parts to be cleared, when this dust has resulted in accumulations which are always difficult to dislodge even if localized blowing and suction are employed simultaneously, as has been proposed. Moreover, the dislodging of dust which' is already encrusted, as will be readily understood, requires a much greater power of suction than that which would be necessary for catching or collecting the dust before it is deposited.

It therefore appears to be more reasonable to endeavor to remove the dust not in the places where it is deposited, as has been the custom hitherto, but, on the contrary, at

those places where it originates and before it has had time to be deposited.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus to effect complete clearing of such machines without being liable to the disadvantages of the various above-mentioned arrangements which have been heretofore proposed.

Apparatus for effecting this method is characterized by the fact that in order to obtain, instead of suction localized only at a few points, suction effected over extensive zones of discontinuous reduced pressure covering as a whole all the area to be cleared. This suction is effected by compartments of a secondary collector which instead of being connected to nozzles of small crosssection, themselves form suction hoods or mouths of large area disposed close to the zones to be cleared, the control system for the valves connecting these suction hoods or months to a central collector or duct being arranged in such manner that there is overlapping between the periods of opening of any two valves in a group, that is to say, one valve is able to close only after another valve has opened.

In this way, undersirable great variation in suction created in adjacent zones is avoided, because at least one valve is always open at any given instant, so there prevails in the collector a continuous suction of which only the distribution along the collector varies constantly. The opening cycle of the valves can be determined in advance, as desired.

Control of butterfly members or shutters of the respective valves may be brought about in any manner, but is preferably effected by electromagnetic means, such as an eleetromagnet. All the electromagnets may, for exam le b p d with u ent n turn b a rota y commutator or distributor-driven by a motor. By varying the speed of this motor, the frequency or duration or both of the successive sucking actions in the different suction mouths or hoods is varied. The power of suction can be adjusted differently in each zone of action by simply altering the angle of opening of the corresponding shutters by shifting stops provided for this purpose. It is also possible to exclude from the suction cycle any number of suction zones whatsoever by cutting off the supply circuit of the electromagnets controlling the corresponding shutter or shutters,

In some cases, the opening of the shutters or valves of the various suction zones may be controlled automatically as a function of the density of the dust in suspension in these zones. To this end, the installation according to the invention may comprise a dust-density detector consisting, for instance, of a series of photo electric cells disposed at any location across which the surrounding dust-laden air is sucked by means of a small constant-delivery fan. These cells all have different sensitivities and are arranged in the supply circuit of a motor driving the rotary commutator or distributor controlling the shutters of the different zones.

, The cells are arranged so that a specific speed of rotation of the motor corresponds to the excitation of a specific cell. In the event of there being little dust, only the most sensitive cell may be excited and the motor rotates slowly. The reverse occurs if there is a great deal of dust. Very flexible and very economical opera tion is thus obtained, since the duration of, and the intervals in, the suction can be made always proportional to the actual requirements at any moment.

Finally, the installation according to the invention can be used together and in combination with installations of known type by allowing those parts which are necessary for the operation of these old installations to remain.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects ,will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a top plan view of a winding machine with parts broken away and other parts being in section and showing the improved dust removing apparatus assocciated therewith;

Figure 2 is a somewhat schematic vertical sectional view taken substantially along 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view through one of the valves taken substantially along lines 3-3 in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevation, taken along lines 44 in Figure 2, showing how the valves may be arranged and showing the cover removed from one of the filter access openings;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view showing means for controlling the extent to which the shutters or valves may be opened;

Figure 6 is a graph illustrating the operation of a prior cleaning system;

Figure 7 is a graph illustrating the operation of the present cleaning system;

Figure 8 is an electrical diagram of a circuit for con trolling the operation of the valves;

Figure 9 is a somewhat schematic elevation, partially in section showing how modified form of the invention in which a common suction collecting unit draws dust, lint and the other like material from a plurality of parallel or separate rows of receiving units; and

Figure 10 is a schematic plan view of the structure shown in Figure 9.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, the improved suction cleaning apparatus is shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 in association with a winding machine broadly designated at 10 which is representative of vari: ous types of textile machinery such as spinning frames,

twisters, drawing frames, etc. The machine 10 is in the form of a substantially rectangular frame comprising opposed upright end frame members 11, 12 to which opposed ends of longitudinal frame members 13 through 17 are suitably secured (Figure 2). The front and rear portions of the frame are enclosed by front and rear walls 20, 21, the front wall being provided with suitable openings shown in the form of louvers 22 in Figure 2 to permit air to escape from within the frame casing. The upper front and rear longitudinal frame members 14, 15, along with the end frame members 11, 12, support a platform 23. The frame members 16, 17, also support a similar platform 24.

The frame, including platform 23, supports a row of spaced textile strand processing or working instrumentalities which, in this instance, are individual bobbin winding stations or devices generally designated at 25. The stations 25 are also representative of a row of machines.

Each of the winding stations or devices 25 comprises a driven rotating chuck or spindle 26 carried by a gear housing 27 containing suitable mechanism for driving chuck or spindle 26. A bobbin or quill 28 is supported by chuck 26 and a front support or dead-center 30, carried by an upstanding member 31 fixed to the front upper longitudinal frame member 14. A strand of textile material, such as yarn Y, is drawn from a source shown in the form of a yarn carrier 32 suitably supported above each of the stations 25, the yarn being guided to the bobbin 27 through suitable tensioning and guiding mechanisms shown schematically at 33 and 34 in Figure 2. p

In order to prevent lint, dust and other light material, generally known as waste, from collecting on the textile strand processing instrumentalities at the stations 25, and including the strands Y being processed, a plurality of suction nozzles or months are arranged in a row adjacent the paths of travel of the strands Y and adjacent processing instrumentalities embodied in the stations 25. In this instance, there is one of the suction months or nozzles positioned adjacent and rearwardly of each station 25, and five such mouths are shown in Figure 1, respectively designated at 50, 50a, 50b, 50c and 50:].

As best shown in Figure each of the suction mouths 50-5011 is in the form of a flared open-end portion of a tubular compartment or collector 51. Each compartment may curve downwardly as shown in Figure 2 where all of the compartments 51 are communicatively connected to a common, main duct or channel 52 through the medium of a tubular valve housing 53. Each valve housing 53 includes front, rear and side walls W41, W-2, W-3, W-4 and may be formed integral with and thus form a part of the respective compartment 51. In this instance, however, the flanged lower end of each compartment 51 is suitably secured to the flanged upper end of the respective valve housing 53 (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4). suitably secured to the upper wall of main duct 52 and communicate with the main duct by means of arespective opening 54 provided in the upper wall of the duct 52.

The valve housings 53 each has a valve assembly therein, the valve assemblies corresponding to suction mouths 50-50a' being respectively broadly designated at 55, 55a, 55b, 55c and 55d in Figure 1. All of the valve assemblies 55-55d are identical and, therefore, only one of the valve assemblies will be described in detail and like reference characters will apply to all the other valve assemblies, where applicable.

Each valve assembly comprises a damper, shutter or butterfly member 56 forming the valve proper and which may be plain or may have the form of a very elongated rhombus, or it may have an asymmetrical shape, as desired. In this instance, each valve member 56 is provided with substantially flat or planar opposed surfaces thereon. Shutter 56 may rotate about a central or some,- what eccentric axis which is illustrated herein as being substantially horizontal. Shutter 56 is preferably of hol- The lower ends of the valve housings 53 ,are'

low construction and opposite ends thereof are connected to movable circular plates, disks or wheels 57 loosely mounted for rotation in respective openings formed in opposed front and rear walls W-l, W-2 of the respective housing 53.

In this instance, movable plates 57 are concentric with shutter 56 and their outer portions each has a shaft portion (Figure 3) 60 thereon journaled in a support 61 suitably secured to the respective wall of housing 53. Support 61 of Figure 4 is in the form of a spider, at the juncture of the legs of which the respective movable plate 57 is journaled and wherein an annular portion thereof is suitably secured to the corresponding rear wall W-2 of valve housing 53.

As heretofore stated, the movable plates 57 are loosely mounted in corresponding openings provided in the front and rear walls W-l, W-2 of the respective valve housing 53 and, accordingly, a suitable flexible annular seal 62 preferably made from rubber, neoprene, leather or the like, is attached to either the outer surface of each movable plate 57 or to the outer surface of the respective wall or stationary plate 61, and closes the gap between each movable plate and the respective wall.

Opposed longitudinal or side edges of shutter 56, parallel with the axis thereof, carry beads or sealing elements 63, 64 which are also preferably made from a flexible material, such as rubber, fabric, neoprene, plastic or the like, and which, in the closed position, abut against complementary stop members 65, 66 carried by opposed side walls W3, W-4 of valve housing 53 (Figure 4). Thus, when a shutter '56 occupies closed position, as shown in the right-hand and central portions of Figure 4, it separates the respective compartment 51 from the main duct 52. On the other hand, the compartments 51 communicate with the main duct 52, to a greater or lesser extent, in accordance with the extent to which the corresponding shutters are rotated about their respective axeS.

Each shutter 56 is operated by suitable electrical means embodied in an electromagnet or solenoid 70 fixed on a bracket 71 projecting outwardly from the rear wall of the respective valve housing 53. Each solenoid 70 includes a solenoid plunger 72 projecting upwardly therefrom which is pivotally connected, as at 73, to one end of a lever 74- fixed on the outer end of one of said shafts 60. The end of each lever 74 opposite from the end to which plunger 72 is pivotally connected, has a suitable weight member 75 fixed thereon which, upon deenergization of the respective solenoid 70, imparts closing movement to the respective shutter 56 as it raises the respective solenoid plunger 72.

Conversely, when any one of the solenoids 70 is energized, downward movement is imparted to the repective solenoid plunger 72, to move the other end of lever 74 upwardly. Upward movement of the latter end of said lever 74 may be limited, to consequently limit the extent to which the corresponding shutter 56 is opened, by means of an adjustable stop element 76. In this instance, it will be observed in Figure 4 that stop element 76 is suitably adjustably secured to one of the arms of the spider forming the respective support 61, as by means of a screw 77 working in a slot 80 formed in one of the arms of the spider comprising said support 61.

It is apparent that the valve assemblies may be positioned in the respective openings 54 in the upperwall of the'main duct 52 and, as a matter of fact, the particular construction of the valve assemblies may vary without departing from the spirit of the invention. The means for controlling said valve shutters 56 will be later described.

Disposed within each compartment 51; i.e., between the mouth 50 thereof and the respective valve assembly, is a filter or screen 82, there being one of the screens 82 preferably removably mounted within each of the compartments 51. It will be observed in Figures 1, 2

supported by a pair of guides '83 which preferably ex tend in parallel relationship, but at a relatively slight angle, and which are suitably secured to opposed side walls of the respective compartment 51. The rear or outer wall of each compartment 51 is provided with an access opening 85 which is normally closed by means of a cover, door or plate 86. The plates 86 are suitably secured to the rear wall of the respective compartments 51, as by screws 87.

Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, it will be observed that the common main duct 52 is closed at opposite ends thereof and has an auxiliary pipe or duct 86a communicatively connected thereto, extending through the rear wall 21 of the frame 10 and beneath the platform 24. The other end of auxiliary duct 86 is connected to the inlet side of an exhauster 87 shown in the form of centrifugal blower in Figures 1 and 2. Blower 87 contains a fan or impeller 90 which is continuously driven by any suitable means such as electric motor 91. Main duct 52, blower 87 and motor 91 may rest upon a floor F upon which the machine 10 rests. It is apparent that rotating fan 90 draws air inwardly through main duct 52 and auxiliary duct 86 and discharges the air outwardly through an air outlet 92 on blower 87. The air then passes outwardly through the louvered openings 22 heretofore described.

Thus, when any one or more shutters 56 are open, suction is produced at the mouth 50 of each respective compartment 51 to thus, in effect, produce extensive zones of reduced pressure or suction currents adjacent the processing or working instrumentalities embodied in the respective stations 25, to thereby suck lint, dust and other light waste material through the suction mouths 50 and into respective compartments 51 before such lint and other light material has actually come to rest upon said working instrumentalities or the material being processed.

It is apparent that such waste material, as it is drawn into each compartment 51, is deposited upon the respective screen or filter 82. Thus, the filters 82 may be cleaned periodically by removing covers 86 (Figure 4) and withdrawing the waste material from atop the filters 82 through the access openings 85 in the rear walls of the respective compartments 51.

All the electromagnets or solenoids may, for example, be supplied with current by a rotary commutator or distributor driven by a motor. By varying the speed of this motor, the frequency or duration, or both, of the successive sucking actions in the different suction months or hoods 50-50d may be varied. The power of suction can be adjusted differently in each zone of action by simply altering the angle of opening of the corresponding shutters or valve members by adjusting the adjustable abutments 76 in the manner heretofore described.

A preferred embodiment of means for controlling the stepwise supply of current to the solenoids 70 is shown in Figure 8 wherein it will be observed that an electric motor 95 drives a rotary brush 96 of a commutator or distributor switch broadly designated at 97. Distributor switch 97 comprises a plurality of circularly spaced arcuate contact members or segments 100, which are closely spaced so that brush 96 engages one segment momentarily as its moves in engagement with the next succeeding segment.

Each segment 100 of distributor switch 97 has a respective conductor 101 leading therefrom, in which a manually operable switch 102 is preferably interposed. These conductors 101 each extends to one end of the coil of a respective relay. All the relays are indicated at R, R-a, R42, R-c and R-d, and correspond with the respective valve assemblies 55-55d. The other side of the coil of each of the latter relays has a conductor 104 leading therefrom to a common conductor 106 connected to a lead conductor 107. Conductor 107 leads from one side of a sourceof alternating current 110 to one side and 4 that each screen may be positioned between and 75 of electric motor 95. The source of alternating current 119 also has a lead conductor 111 leading therefrom to a conductor 112 which extends to the brush 96 of the distributor switch 97.

Relays R through R-d could be omitted and the conductors 101 could be connected directly to the coils of the respective solenoids 70.

However, in this instance, each relay R through R-d is interposed in a conductor m connected to one side of the coil of the respective solenoid 70, and all the conductors m are connected to a common conductor 12. Conductors p are connected to the other sides of the coils of solenoids 7t) and their other ends are connected to a common conductor q. Conductors q extend to a rectifier bridge 113, one side of which is connected to conductor 106 by a conductor 114, and the other side of which is connected to conductor 112. Thus, bridge 113 serves to reduce the current which may flow to solenoids 70 when relays R through Rd are successively energized by engagement of the brush 96 of distributor switch 97 with the respective segments 100.

It will be noted that conductor 111 also extends from the alternating source of current 110 to electric motor 95, but it has a manually operable switch 115interposed therein, for purposes to be later described. Accordingly, the remainder of the diagram shown in Figure 8 will be later described, since it is desirable to explain at this point the operation of the system as heretofore described in referring to the graphs of Figures 6 and 7.

These graphs show the variation, as a function of time, of the flow of air into the successive suction mouths. Figure 6 relates to a hypothetical suction cleaning system of a type heretofore proposed in which suction is produced at various suction inlets intermittently and in succession without overlapping of the times of opening of valves controlling the flow of air into the successive suction inlets. It will be observed in Figure 6 that the flow of air, starting from zero at one chamber increases gradually to a point a, then remains constant for a certain interval of time a.-b, whereupon the flow of air decreases again to zero, as at the point indicated at c in Figure 6. It is apparent that the extent of suction created in each suction inlet extends vertically in the graph of Figure 6 and may be calibrated in any applicable unit of pressure or velocity, such as cubic feet per minute. The interval of time during which each valve is open may be considered in seconds or any other applicable unit of time, and extends horizontally from left to right in Figure 6.

At this moment, an identical cycle c-de*f starts at c for the succeeding or following suction inlet and etc. Thus, there is a great irregularity of air flow.

Figure 7, on the other hand, relates to the installation according to the present invention, in which there is overlapping of the times of opening of the valves 53. In this figure, the broken lines represent the flow of air in each suction mouth and the solid lines represent the total flow of air. The flow in the first mouth increases from zero to a, then remains constant as far as b. However, before this point b, the following mouth has commenced to open at point d, so that the curve representing the total flow rises from g, above the line ab' until it reaches a maximum at a point It, the abscissa of which is at the intersection of b, c and d, j. This flow then decreases to k, the abscissa of which point corresponds to the closing the first mouth, and is again stabilized.

The total flow, therefore, never falls below that which corresponds to the opening of a mouth and it shows peaks during those periods when two mouths are open simultaneously. The flow, as a whole, is therefore much more regular than in the case of Figure 6. This result is obtained, according to the present invention, in a simple manner by spacing the segments 100 of the distributor switch 97 sufiiciently close together so that the brush 96 straddles two adjacent segments during any interval in its rotation in which it is passing out or engagement with one segment and into engagement with a succeed: ing segment;

Now, the lower portion of the electrical diagram shown in Figure 8 serves to control the speed of electric motor and brush 96 of distributor switch 97 at a rate determined by the amount of dust and other light waste material which enters the suction mouths 50 through 50d, it being noted that, while switch is closed, the motor 95 and brush 96 rotates at a constant maximum speed. While the means for varying the speed of electric motor 95 in accordance with the amount of Waste material entering the suction mouth is being used, switch 115 is open.

The means for varying the speed of the: electric motor 95 and brush 96 comprises a plurality of photoelectric cells of different sensitivities which control respective relays to respectively vary the resistance in the flow of electrical energy to the electric motor 95. The resistors which introduce said resistance may be of varying values just so long as they do not, collectively, exceed theresistance value of the electric motor 95. Accordingly, the values of the resistors need not be given.

Photoelectric cells are indicated at through 120:], each of which may receive light from an artificial or natural source, a suitable artificial light, such as an incandescent lamp 121 is shown in mouth 50b in Figure l. The number of photoelectric cells used may be varied, depending upon the desired location thereof. In this instance, it will be noted that the photoelectric cell 1201) is positioned within the flared mouth 5% of the respective compartment 51, for example, and it is apparent that all the photoelectric cells 126 through 120d may be positioned in the respective suction mouths 59 through 59d in the same manner as that in which the photoelectric cell 12% is shown in 'Figure 1.

As the description proceeds, it will become apparent that a lesser or greater number of photoelectric cells may be used and they may be positioned at any location in the path of lint and the like drawn into the hoods or compartments 51, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

It will be noted that photoelectric cells 120 through 129d are connected, in parallel, to respective relays R-e through R-i, each by means of a respective conductor r which extends from one side of each photoelectric cell to one end of the coil of the respective relay. Conductors 1' may be connected to the cathodes of respective photoelectric cells 120 through 120d and the plates or anodes of the photoelectric cells have respective conductors s leading therefrom to a common conductor 123 leading from the positive side of a source of direct current 124 shown in the form of a storage battery.

The other or negative side of storage battery 124 has a conductor 125 leading therefrom to one side of a manually operable switch 126. The other side of switch 126 has a common conductor 127 leading therefrom to which corresponding ends of a plurality of conductors t are connected. The other ends of conductors t are each connected to a coil of one of the respective relays R-e through R-i. The lower portion of Figure 8 shows an additional relay R-j whose coil has conductors 130, 131 connected thereto and leading to the respective common conductors 123, 127.

When energized, relays R-e through R-j each make contact between a respective pair of conductors u, v. The conductors u lead to conductor 112, which is common to all the conductors u. The ends of conductors v, opposite from relays R-e through R-i, are connected to a conductor means 132 in which a series of resistors 133 through 133d are interposed in such a manner that energization of relays R and R-e through R-h will cause current to flow from the source 110 through the respective resistors 133 through 133d and through any of the latter resistors which may be in series with motor 1 when a orr nding elay s en r zed- Since relay R-z' causes current to fiow to motor 95 without flowing through a resistor, relay R-i has the same affect as the closing of switch 115. On the other hand, energization of relay R-h places resistor 133d in the circuit to the motor to correspondingly reduce its speed. Of course, this shunts out any of the resistors 133, 133a, 133b, 1330 which may then be energized.

Stated in another way, relay R-j causes all the resistors 133 through 133d to be placed in the circuit to motor 95 to cause motor 95 to operate at its slowest possible speed. The opening of relay R or the continued closing thereof, with the closing of relay R-e, shunts out resistor 133 to correspondingly increase the speed of the electric motor 95, and etc.

In this instance, photoelectric cell 120 is the most sensitive of those shown in Figure 8 while the others are of progressively decreasing sensitivity. It follows, there fore, that the opening of switch 115 and closing of switch 126 introduces the circuit for variably controlling the speed of electric motor 95. Also, as stated above, relay R is immediately energized upon the closing of switch 126 to thus place all the resistors in the circuit to the electric motor 95 so that it operates at a minimum speed, as would be the case during intervals in which very little or no dust is being drawn into the suction mouths 50 through 50d.

Now, if there is relatively little dust or lint entering suction mouth 50, as would likely be the case with respect to all of the other mouths 59a through 58a, only the most sensitive cell 120 is excited and this causes a slight increase in the speed of the motor 95 and brush 96. If, on the other hand, there is a great deal of dust and other light material entering the suction mouths 50 through 50d; the suction mouth 50d in particular, the least sensitive photoelectric cell 120d is excited and the relay R-i then connects the motor 95 directly to the source 110 whereupon the motor assumes its maximum speed. There may be any number of cells and the regulation thus obtained is extremely flexible.

It will be noted that the switches 102' in the righthand central portion of Figure 8 serve to render ineifective the respective relays R-a through Rd to, in turn, cause the respective damper or shutter to remain closed, as may be desirable in cleaning the corresponding filter 82 in the maner heretofore described.

The installation illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 is shown schematically in its entirety, since the exhauster or suction device, filter, dampers and other structural details may be substantially the same as like details shown in the other view of the first form of the apparatus. Figures 9 and 10 show a modified form of construction of an installation according to the invention in which suction is effected below the machine or machines and the delivery or exhaust above the machine or machines.

In Figure 9, a machine or group of textile machines is shown at 140 which is representative of a plurality of parallel machines or rows or groups of machines. Below each machine or group of machines there is provided a row of closely spaced suction mouths 141 which extend downwardly beneath the floor 142 upon which the machine or group of. machines 140 are supported. The row of suction mouths 141 adjacent each textile machine, group of textile machines, or row of textile machines 140 is connected to a common substantially horizontal duct suitably suspended beneath the floor 142. In Figure 10, four of the ducts are shown indicated at 143, 144, 145, 146 arranged in spaced substantially parallel relationship to correspond with four machines or four separate rows of machines thereabove, such as the machine 140 shown in Figure 1.

All of the ducts 143-146 are communicatively connected to a common lateral duct 147 to which the lower end of a filtering and waste collecting chamber 148 is communicatively connected. The waste collecting chamber 148 is provided with a suitable filter 149 therein,

shown as a broken line in Figure 9, which may he identical to filter 82 shown in Figures 1 and 4.

The upper end of collection chamber 148 communicates with a suitable suction apparatus 150 shown in the form of a housing 151 having an air outlet 152 thereon, and within which housing a fan or air impeller 153 is positioned. The air impeller 153 may be driven by an electric motor 154 suitably supported, as by brackets 155, in the housing 151. The ends of the horizontal ducts 143-146 adjacent the main or common duct each has interposed therein a valve assembly 55 which may be identical to the valve assemblies 55 through 55d heretofore described. Accordingly, a detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

Since the dampers or valve assemblies 55' are identical to the valve assemblies 55 through 55d, it is apparent that they may be operated in any desired sequence by a circuit such as that shown in Figure 8 and, accordingly, a further detailed description and illustration of the modified form of the invention shown in Figures 9 and 10 is deemed unnecessary. It will be noted that the valves 55' associated with the ducts 143, 145 in Figure 10 are shown in closed position while the other two valves 55' are shown in open position in Figure 10.

It is thus seen that we have provided a novel method and apparatus for preventing accumulation of lint, dust and other light waste material on textile machinery and the textile material being processed and wherein a series of open mouths of compartments are positioned adjacent the working instrumentalities of the machines, with means for intermittently producing suction currents at individual suction months, or groups of suction mouths, through the medium of a single source of suction, and further, wherein the creation of suction currents at any one suction mouth or group of suction mouths continues for a relatively short interval after suction is created at another suction mouth or group of suction mouths to thereby produce uniformity in the flow of the suction currents which has not been produced heretofore.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

We claim:

1. A dust removing apparatus for textile machinery comprising an elongate duct connected to a source of suction and being provided with a plurality of open suction mouths, a valve interposed between each suction mouth and said duct, said valves being normally closed,

and means for successively opening all of said valves in a pre-established sequence while subsequently closing said valves in said sequence, but while overlapping the intervals during which successive valves are open whereby suction is produced in each successive mouth for a part of the time during which suction is produced in an immediately preceding month.

2. A dust removing apparatus for textile machines comprising a duct connected to a source of suction, a plurality of compartments communicating with said main duct, each of said compartments having an open suction mouth therein, a valve interposed between each compartment and said duct, said valves being normally closed, and means for successively opening all of said valves in a pre-established sequence while subsequently closing said valves in said sequence, but while overlapping the intervals during which successive valves are open whereby suction is produced in each successive compartment for a part of the time during which suction is produced in each preceding compartment.

3. Apparatus for removing dust, lint and other lint material from textile machinery having spaced sets of working instrumentalities comprising a plurality of suction compartments having open suction mouths positioned adjacent respective sets of working instrumentalities, a main duct connected to a source of suction, a valve assembly communicatively connecting each of said compartments to said main duct, a movable valve member in ach valve assembly, means controlling the opening and closing of said valve members in succession, and said controlling means including means for opening a succeeding valve member for a relatively short interval preceding the closing of any immediately preceding valve member.

4. A structure according to claim 3 in which said suction mouths are disposed below respective working instrumentalities.

5. A structure according to claim 3 in which an air filter is disposed within each compartment at a point between the mouth thereof and the suction device.

6.. A structure according to claim 3 in which an air filter is disposed within each compartment at a point between the mouth thereof and the respective valve memher.

7. A structure according to claim 3 in which said suction mouths are of relatively large area and are disposed above the instrumentalities to be cleared of dust.

8. A structure according to claim 3 including means limiting the extent of opening of at least one of said valve members.

9. A structure according to claim 3 in which said controlling means comprises means responsive to the density of the dust, lint and other light material entering said suction mouths for determining the frequency at which said valve members are successfully opened and closed.

10. A structure according to claim 3 in which said controlling means includes means for varying the frequency at which successive valve members are opened and closed.

11. Apparatus for preventing accumulation of waste,

such as dust, lint and other light material, on textile machinery having a plurality of sets of working instrumentalities, said apparatus comprising a plurality of suction compartments having openings positioned adjacent respective working instrumentalities, a main duct connected to. a source of suction, a valve assembly communicatively connecting each compartment to said main duct, filter means between said openings and said source of suction, each valve assembly comprising a normally closed movable valve member, and control means for opening and closing the valve members and including means for overlapping between the periods of opening of at least two of said valve members.

12. A structure according to claim 11 in which said control means comprises electromagnets controlling said valve members, means for successively delivering electrical energy to said electromagnets while energizing each electromagnet for a predetermined interval and overlapping the interval during which successive electromagnets are energized, and means independent of said means for delivering electrical energy to said electromagnets for cutting off the flow of electrical energy to individual electromagnets.

13. A structure according to claim 11 in which said control means comprises electromagnetic means connected to at least one of said valve members.

14. A structure according to claim 11 in which said control means comprises electromagnets controlling said valve members, means for successively delivering electrical energy to said electromagnets while energizing each electromagnet for a predetermined interval and overlapping the intervals during which successive electromagnets are energized comprising a driven rotary brush, a series of spaced segments successively engageable by said brush, said brush being engageable with the proximal ends of adjacent segments simultaneously as it moves from se ment to segment, a first conductor between each segment and a respective electromagnet, other conductors between the electromagnets, the brush and a source of current, and means to break the circuit to any of said electromagnets independently of said brush and said segments.

15. A structure according to claim 11 in which said control means comprises electromagnets controlling said valve members, distributor means for successively delivering electrical energy to said electromagnets while energizing each electromagnet for a predetermined interval and overlapping the intervals during which successive electromagnets are energized, said distributor means comprising a circular series of spaced segments each electrically connected to a separate electromagnet, a rotary brush successively engageable with said segments and being of greater width than the distance between the segments, an electric motor driving said brush, and means to vary the speed of the motor according to the density of waste entering said openings.

16. A structure according to claim 15, wherein the means for varying the speed of the motor comprises a series of resistors in an electrical circuitto said motor, relays for shunting out respective resistors, and photo electric cells of varying sensitivities disposed adjacent said openings in the compartments and being electrically connected in parallel to said relays.

17. Apparatus for preventing accumulation of waste, such as dust, lint and other light material, on textile machinery having a plurality of sets of working instrumentalities, said apparatus comprising a plurality of suction compartments having openings positioned adjacent respective working instrumentalities, a main duct connected to a source of suction, a valve assembly communicatively connecting each compartment to said main duct, filter means between said openings and said source of suction, each valve assembly comprising a normally closed mov able valve member, electromagnetic means for opening and closing each valve member, a rotary brush and a series of segments interposed in an electrical circuit to said magnetic means, each segment being electrically connected to a separate magnetic means, means for driving said rotary brush comprising an electric motor, and means for varying the speed of said motor, 'said last-named means comprising at least one photoelectric cell adjacent the path of waste sucked into said openings and through the compartments and being operable to control said motor motor according to the density of said waste.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS UNITED STATES PATENTOFFICE- @ERTIFIQATE OF CORRECTION Patent No, 2 976 556 March 28 1961 Ferdinand Reiterer 1 It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent. should read as corrected below. i

In the grant line 3 address of assignee for -"'V\I'orcester Massachusetts" read Fit-chlourg Massachusetts in the heading to the printed specification line 5 for 'Worcester Mass read Fitchburg Massu column 10 line 72 for lint second occurrence read em light column l2 line E56 strike out motor first, occurrence Signed and (sealed this 19th day of. September 1961.,

(SEAL) Attest:

ERNEST w. SDER DAVID L. LADD Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents USCOMM-DC-I 

